Venice Biennale 2026 9 May–22 November in Venice, Italy

Every other year, Venice transforms its winding network of canals into a citywide art gallery. The Venice Biennale is often referred to as “the Olympics of the art world.” It is an international art festival that includes a curated main show, dozens of national pavilions, and citywide events, from museum retrospectives to guerrilla performances. From its 1895 debut to the present day, the Venice Biennale has become the world’s most influential gathering of contemporary creativity.

The 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia) features national pavilions in the Giardini and Arsenale, as well as collateral events across Venice. The event typically features up to 90 countries, represented by national pavilions, for art and architecture exhibitions. The 2026 headline exhibition, In Minor Keys, was conceived by the event’s late artistic director, Koyo Kouoh.